Centre Orders NTA To Audit All Exam Processes After NEET-UG, UGC-NET Disruptions

August 17, 2026

New Delhi: The Centre has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a thorough audit of all examination processes and submit a report detailing corrective measures after two major exams faced serious disruptions this year.

The directive was issued at a meeting chaired by Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, attended by senior officials including the Department of Higher Education Secretary and NTA Director General. The move comes a day after the NTA cancelled UGC-NET examinations in three subjects following multiple errors in the question papers.

UGC-NET Cancellation Triggers Fresh Review

The NTA on Sunday announced that UGC-NET examinations for English, Sociology and Commerce would be conducted again after factual, typographical and translation errors were found in the papers. The affected exams had been held between June 22 and June 30.

This became the second major NTA examination disruption this year. The agency had earlier scrapped the May 3 NEET-UG 2026 examination following a paper leak that triggered nationwide protests.

Over 50 NTA Staff Removed, New Specialists To Be Hired

The Education Ministry said more than 50 NTA staff members have been removed as part of efforts to reform the agency’s examination system.

The agency is also bringing in domain specialists from the private sector for areas including cybersecurity, psychometrics and question-paper design. Ten new professional leadership positions, including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and senior roles in test security and research, have also been advertised.

Exam Security Systems To Be Overhauled

Joshi has directed the NTA to ensure strict compliance with established examination protocols and undertake a complete overhaul of its confidential operations architecture.

The ministry said measures involving secluded rooms, air-gapped systems and device-deposit protocols are to be implemented on a priority basis. The NTA has also been instructed to submit a report on the corrective action taken after the audit.

The latest measures are aimed at strengthening examination security, reducing operational lapses and restoring confidence among students and candidates who rely on NTA-conducted examinations.